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Post by Christopher on Aug 19, 2004 23:43:20 GMT 12.75
I'm honored and amazed. Thanks.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a part-time blacksmith with an interest in bladesmithing. I like making knives, and can forge out a few trinkets now and then... mostly of the simple campfire variety. Don't ask me to make branding irons yet.
I have a cheapo website, linkable from my signature image below - feel free to take a peek, not that there's much there. It did hook me into this place, though, so it must be doing its job.
If you have basic metalworking questions, ask away. If you want to know how to properly heat-treat carbon steel, I'll point you to far better tutorials than I could ever write, but have posted in my shop. If you want something made, post away or shoot me an email.
Time to go finish Pawclaws' S-hooks.
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Post by Paws on Aug 20, 2004 0:51:09 GMT 12.75
Diagones may rest his lamp! ;D Christopher I have a Bowie knife. Handmade from a leaf spring tanged through a bull horn handle with brass fittings for the hand guard and butt. All snugged up with wht looks to me like a jewlers dap wax inside the hollow handle. When I got it originally the blade was mirror polished and very dull. Over the years it started to pick up a little rust and I put a coat of blue on it to hold that down. I'd like to restore the finish and put the blade in service for the re-enacting schtick. Any suggestions or ideas??
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Post by Paws on Aug 20, 2004 1:21:50 GMT 12.75
Hey Christopher, if you are willing to experiment; let's try to season those irons and hooks "cast iron style" rather than paint them. If you think it will work and believe the steel is porous enough to accept a season of lard of mineral oil. Your expertise shall rule, however; I was just wondering. Paint is perfectly acceptable. What do you think? Oh sir also if you will; heat me up a small size dinner bell triangle as well and add her to the bill please sir!
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Post by Christopher on Aug 20, 2004 1:52:22 GMT 12.75
You can send it to me... ;D
-or-
To recondition a knife, try to follow this:
1. chuck the knife up in a vice, so that the blade is flat (edge to your right, spine to your left). Wrap the handle in thick leather so you don't trash the finish.
2. protect the guard with masking tape, a couple layers will do.
3. get yourself a fine single-cut file, and begin draw-filing the blade. speak up if you don't know what draw-filing is.
4. gently work the length of the blade, restoring a file finish to the flats, define the bevels, and work the appleseed edge geometry 'till you've got very fine steel threads coming off the edge.
5. replace the file with sandpaper on a hardwood block, start with 150 or so, work up to 600 grit in 2 or 3 increments. Cover everything you filed, you'll get a good polish that's period correct, for the most part.
6. if you want a mirror polish, simply keep the blade oiled, and hit it with the 600 grit once in a while. make sure to use lengthwise strokes, so the cuts are all in the same direction. Otherwise I reccomend a mild etch for carbon steel. I use a cider vinegar that has copper dissolved in it, so after soaking for a while there's a thin layer protecting the steel, and a nice antique-ish look to it.
7. sharpen the edge using a diamond honing tool... I have one mounted on a block of wood that's like 6x2 inches or so, really good for establishing a good cutting edge, or use a fine grit on the belt sander; 220 to 600 should work fine. Break the wire edge, shave, and go about your day.
Mirror finishes are not terribly common in period, since they take a lot of work to keep up, and the average joe didn't have the tools or time to do that. Carbon steel rusts, no matter what you do to it; bluing, in and of itself, is a form of oxidation = rust. Etching is, as well, and lends a good using finish that is smooth, but resistant to the bright orange variety. If you're bent on making it really shiny, forever, then nickle-plate the thing. I can do that for you. Then you only have to worry about the edge.
Good luck!
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Post by Christopher on Aug 20, 2004 1:56:55 GMT 12.75
yer irons are already forged and painted, was going to get to the hooks tonight. My preferred "primal" finish is beeswax applied at a black heat, several times. Soaks in well, is food safe, doesn't go rancid. Looks nice too... but the upkeep on any parts that are in moving contact, like the insides of the curves, will need occasional upkeep. This you can do yourself easily enough, though - just keep an eye on it and reapply a little every time you come back from camp. Melting a little on a cheesecloth and giving a rubdown is a good preventative maintenance technique as well.
Add one small triangle. Ok.
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Post by Paws on Aug 20, 2004 4:02:06 GMT 12.75
Thanks Christopher! I'll do my best to take care of them. Soundslike I'll probably want to send that knife to yo as well.
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Post by RogueWarrior1957 on Aug 23, 2004 5:19:44 GMT 12.75
Christopher,
It is an honor and pleasure to make your acquaintance! Blacksmithing has always fascinated me, though I have little experience with it.
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Post by Paws on Aug 23, 2004 6:50:51 GMT 12.75
Shoot; all you boys with skills make me envious!
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Post by Christopher on Aug 23, 2004 10:17:18 GMT 12.75
Get it hot and hit it.
The rest is nuance.
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Post by Christopher on Aug 26, 2004 2:52:39 GMT 12.75
Your tripod is done, you triangle is done, and you have 4 of 6 hooks made, as of 1am last night. I'll do the last 2 hooks tonight when I get home, and get the sucker in the mail for you as soon as you send me a complete address.
The tripod members are 44 inches long, painted black.
The triangle is 6 inches each side, with striker and hook, and is treated with beeswax.
The hooks, since you didn't specify what kind you wanted, are a variety pack - low, med and high quality, various lengths... treated with beeswax.
In amongst all that, look for your bonus... my thanks for giving me the space here.
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Post by Christopher on Aug 26, 2004 2:59:51 GMT 12.75
that picture is of a "squirrel cooker", a small spit used for roasting rodent, small birds (I think it's a cornish game hen in that one, quail works too), bannock, hot dogs, whatever. spit comes off the upright, packs nicely, doubles as a fork. Handy little tool. Want one?
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Post by Paws on Aug 26, 2004 14:14:38 GMT 12.75
Yes please!. No rush on it though. It can be part of my second order! ;D Looked really cool! I think the kids would get a charge out of Paws hotdog stick!! ;D Should be perfect for roasting a grouse.
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Post by Christopher on Aug 26, 2004 19:58:54 GMT 12.75
Here's your stuff - just waiting on a shipping address. Dinner Triangle: Three styles of S-hook: from left to right, most fancy with "diamond" cross section, my standard decorative, and plainThe Tripod: How to insert the hook bars to the eye bar; then pull the eye bar back through the hook barsHow it sets when spread outHope you enjoy them!
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Post by Paws on Aug 27, 2004 0:25:00 GMT 12.75
Man I won't even say how nice that is for fear the price will go up!! ;D You can ship to : Phil Foreman 11310 Pleasanton Road Athens, Ohio 45701-9551 E-mail me your address and I'll send you a check, orMoney Order if you prefer. Thanks Christopher, they really do look super sharp! ;D The rest of you guys and gals need to get a set just for camping. I've used them before and they are super for hanging a pot or coffee pot. Some have grates that extend from an upright much like the squirrel cooker. The beauty of this set is that it may be used as a tri-pod or "A" frame as well as a spit. Last CW camp we used the spit to hang and dry dish rags, towels, and wash pans while we continued to cook on the grate. In the Ohio Camp Cooks displays I hope to see several sets of these depicting the campfire over several hundred years. :
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Post by Christopher on Aug 27, 2004 1:30:07 GMT 12.75
I can do a "grate", I call them trivets - they wrap around one of the uprights with a pigtail. Right now, I can get everything but the triangle in a mailing tube, so It'll be in two packages.
Check your email.
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Post by Paws on Aug 29, 2004 3:57:38 GMT 12.75
Sounds terrific Christopher. How would you feel about doing a custom design? I think there are going to be some really weird needs in OCCs future! ;D
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Post by Christopher on Aug 29, 2004 8:14:40 GMT 12.75
Sure. If you want it in this shipment, hurry. I was going to pack it up today.
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Post by Christopher on Aug 29, 2004 11:11:59 GMT 12.75
trivit's gonna have to wait - today's box is packed and sent. See your email for total price.
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Post by Paws on Aug 29, 2004 13:26:42 GMT 12.75
I'll be in touch about the trivet and what I'll call the "gizmo" until I get it drawn up. Hey, did you know that DaGriz built himself an alectrolysis set up to clean his cast iron? You two ought to chit chat about hammer slamming! He does some welding and bending too. ;D
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Post by Paws on Aug 30, 2004 3:57:25 GMT 12.75
Christopher are your trivets made of a single piece bent into shape or do they include several welded pieces?
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